Exposed conditions

Ash tree

A British and European native species requiring a fairly mild climate and moist but well drained alkaline soils of moderate to high fertility. Ash is light demanding, so plantations require frequen...[more]

Downy Birch tree

This British native birch tree is the best choice for planting on wet sites. It is completely hardy throughout Britain and will provide shelter for other species of trees planted nearby. Downy birch i...[more]

Rowan Mountain Ash tree

A native species seen at its best amongst the acid rocky uplands of the north and in Wales. Its display of golden leaves and bunches of radiant scarlet berries on a fine October day is a memorable sig...[more]

Silver Birch tree

Silver birch is one of the most recognised and popular trees in Britain.  Its silvery white bark and drooping branches make this a very decorative tree for planting both as a landscape tr...[more]

Sycamore tree

Sycamore is Europe's largest maple, which can grow upto 25 plus metres. It can withstand salty winds and so is useful in coastal planting. A useful windbreak so is often seen in parts of Sco...[more]

Wych Elm tree

Wych elm is reproduced by seed and not by suckering so it is more resistant to Dutch elm disease than English elm. In areas where the disease is no longer prevalent planting may be worthwhile again. T...[more]

Hybrid Larch tree

This hybrid between the European and Japanese larches is quite outstanding. It has greater vigour than either parent and will produce sawn timber more durable than Japanese larch. It was first produce...[more]

Japanese Larch tree

Japanese larch, introduced to Britain by John Veitch in 1861, is a well tried and tested forest tree especially in exposed places. It is also indispensable in an arboretum where it provides shelter...[more]

Scots Pine tree

Vast forests of this pine extend from Siberia to the British Isles and north to the Arctic Circle. Only Scottish trees are believed to be truly native to Britain. The last natives in England were cut ...[more]

Sitka Spruce

For much of the twentieth century this species has been the mainstay of British upland forestry. It has provided the bulk of home produced pulpwood and softwood saw logs. More is probably known about ...[more]

Cappadocian Maple tree

The most striking feature of this maple is the way it suckers from the roots. In a short period of time after planting it may develop into a thicket. In a further 20 years it will become a small wood ...[more]

Cockspur Thorn

There are several American 'cockspur thorns'. They are attractive fairly small (7 metre) mop-headed trees with good creamy-white spring flowers and relatively large berries in clusters in the autumn. ...[more]

Dawn Redwood tree

This relic of a 200 million year old fossil species was considered to be extinct until live plants were discovered in China in 1946. Seed reached the Arnold Arboretum in January and March 1948. Over 6...[more]

Golden Irish Yew

This male tree has the same upright form as green Irish yew. It was first cultivated in 1880. Unless planted in a particularly moist fertile site it is slow to establish itself. This can however be an...[more]

Golden Locust

Few arboretum trees have the same impact through the summer as this cultivar. The pale golden leaves light up a dark corner backed by copper beech, yew or other evergreens; or dramatically reflect the...[more]